New Saints on the Horizon as Pope Francis Recognizes Miracles for Canonization

Pope Francis has taken a significant step in the path to sainthood for several blesseds by authorizing the promulgation of a decree recognizing miracles attributed to them. This decision, announced by the Vatican on Thursday, paves the way for their canonization.

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Highlights

By Catholic Online (California Network)
5/24/2024 (3 weeks ago)

Published in Christian Saints & Heroes

Keywords: Canonization, Pope Francis, Miracles, Catholic Saints, Vatican, Blesseds

In a press release, the Holy See reported that Pope Francis met with Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, and ‽decided to convene a consistory which will also concern the canonization" of four Blesseds. These include Carlo Acutis, the first millennial to be beatified by the Catholic Church; Giuseppe Allamano, an Italian priest and founder of the Consolata Missionaries; Marie-Leonie Paradis, a Canadian nun who established the Little Sisters of the Holy Family in 1880; and Elena Guerra, the founder of the Oblates of the Holy Spirit.

Blessed Giuseppe Allamano, born January 21, 1851, in Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Piedmont, founded the Consolata Missionaries and the Consolata Missionary Sisters. Influenced by the Salesians and his uncle, St. Joseph Cafasso, Allamano was ordained in 1873 and dedicated his life to pastoral work. He became the rector of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Consolation in Turin and founded his congregations focusing on evangelization and service to the poor. Beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1990, his miracle was recently recognized as ‽a true miracle" by the Vatican.

Another blessed, Marie-Leonie Paradis, was born on May 12, 1840, in Quebec. Encouraged by Father Camillo Lefebvre, she entered the Marianites of Holy Cross and became Sister Marie-Leonie. After a period in the United States, she founded the Little Sisters of the Holy Family in 1880. Her congregation focused on educational and religious work. Beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1984, her second miracle was also recently recognized.

The Vatican also approved the canonization of Blessed Manuel Ruiz and seven companions of the Order of Friars Minor, along with three brothers, Francis, Abdel Mohti, and Raphaël Massabki, who were martyred in Damascus in 1860.

Among the other future saints is Blessed Elena Guerra. Born on June 23, 1835, in Lucca, Italy, Guerra founded the Oblate Sisters of the Holy Spirit. Known for her devotion to the Holy Spirit and her educational work, she inspired many, including St. Gemma Galgani. Her numerous writings and her promotion of devotion to the Holy Spirit were influential in the Church. Beatified by Pope John XXIII in 1959, her canonization is now on the horizon.

Additionally, the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints recognized a miracle attributed to Venerable Servant of God Giovanni Merlini, a missionary priest of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.

Thursday's press release also acknowledged the martyrdom of Servants of God Maria Maddalena Bodi, a laywoman killed in Hungary in 1945, and Stanislao Kostka Streich, a Polish diocesan murdered in 1938. Furthermore, the heroic virtues of Servants of God Guglielmo Gattiani, Ismaele Molinero Novillo, and Enrico Medi, an Italian politician and physicist, were recognized.

With these recognitions, the Catholic Church continues to honor those whose lives exemplified extraordinary faith and service, bringing them closer to sainthood.